Resources

This paper provides conceptual and methodological guidelines for researchers seeking to undertake an urban participatory climate change adaptation appraisal (PCCAA), illustrated with examples from appraisals in Mombasa (Kenya) and Estelí (Nicaragua). It highlights the importance of hearing local people’s voices regarding incrementally worsening and often unrecorded severe weather. The conceptual framework distinguishes between the analysis of asset vulnerability and the identification of asset-based operational strategies, and sets out a number of methodological principles and practices for undertaking a PCCAA. This PCCAA addressed five main themes: community characteristics; severe weather; vulnerability to severe weather; asset adaptation; and institutions supporting local adaptation. For each of these, it identified potential tools for eliciting information, illustrated by examples from Mombasa and Estelí.

The article describes a participatory appraisal and needs assessment (PANA) training workshop run by the NGO CARE Zambia in August 1994. The training was part of a strategy to reorient CARE's activities away from infrastructure improvement through food-for-work towards a more holistic livelihoods approach. Two important initial strategy decisions had to be made: how to reorient project staff; and how to generate greater participation by the communities concerned. The article outlines the methodological approach adopted, which was a combination of Training for Transformation (TfT) and PRA, and discusses some early trends and lessons.

This report discusses the administration of a student-initiated PRA workshop in the North. The workshop combined theoretical discussions with practical community placements. The report does not deal specifically with PRA methods or their use but lists some initiatives which grew out of the workshop. These are: establishing a network of people interested in PRA methodologies and their diffusion; training members of the "Green Plan Project" to use PRA techniques; starting a "PRA Notes Canada"; integrating PRA techniques into a specified Guelph community project; introducing PRA methodologies to London-based medical students; creating a strategy for developing trainers; and, creating a strategy for supporting trainees.